St George’s claimed a dramatic point at home to title rivals Corinthians in the Canada Life Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

For a long time it looked like the Whites would claim a potentially big three points in the title race as the Ballafletcher side led 2-0 and 3-1, until Geordies mounted a stirring comeback in a chaotic finale.

Stephen Whitley gave the visitors an early lead when his inswinging free-kick evaded everyone and nestled into the far corner of the net.

It wasn’t long before Danny McMahon’s side stunned their opponents again when Dan Simpson’s corner was only half-cleared to Whites centre-back Cameron Lee who lashed home with a half-volley.

The introduction of Calum Morrissey off the bench in the second half completely changed the momentum of the game though and Furo Davies soon halved the deficit with a low drive.

Any hopes of a Geordies comeback looked over when Luke Murray crossed for Sean Doyle to restore Corinthians’ two-goal advantage from close range.

However, Chris Bass Sr’s hosts reduced the deficit again when Morrissey outmuscled the Whites defence to bundle the ball home past Adam Killey and set up a grandstand finish.

And what a finale it was, as Geordies dragged themselves level in the most dramatic of circumstances.

With the match in injury time, the Saints were awarded a penalty for handball after a goalmouth scramble just about kept out Morrissey and Johnny Myers.

Upstepped Davies only to see his spot-kick brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Killey, but the drama and controversy was far from over.

As the ball looped up into the air, Joey Morling seized the rebound a drove a low pass across the face which was turned into his own net by Whites defender Lee.

Immediately players clashed in the aftermath of the equaliser, with Lee being sent tumbling to the ground following an alleged earlier clash, while at the same time Chris Bass Jr was involved in an altercation with Corinthians keeper Killey as he attempted to retrieve the ball and get the game restarted quickly.

Just when it seemed that the situation had been diffused, another incident involving two players kick-started a brawl between both sets of players as the match descended into a farce as unsavoury scenes unfolded in front of the watching crowd, which included many younger spectators.

Eventually referee James Turpin managed to just about restore order - in between dishing out several bookings - long enough to blow the final whistle and bring to a close a dramatic and controversial contest which ended all square.

Full report and photographs in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner.

Elsewhere in the Canada Life Premier League, DHSOB dealt a blow to Rushen United’s title hopes with a 3-1 victory over the Spaniards at Blackberry Lane.

Robbie Ward put the hosts in front only for Matty Cain to level the scores before half-time, but Cian Geoghan and Mikey Booth secured the three points for Old Boys.

St Mary’s remain at the top of the table after they thrashed newly-promoted Castletown 7-0 at the Bowl. Frank Jones led the way with a hat-trick while Declan Cummins scored a brace and there were also goals for Josh Thomas and former Town man Karl Clark.

Peel edged a dramatic game at home to western rivals St John’s thanks to two late goals. The home side led in the first half but two Saints goals turned the game on its head and the Saints looked like upsetting their rivals, however Ryan Holdaway netted twice before Rhys Oates sealed the win late on with a fine free-kick.

Douglas Athletic bounced back from successive defeats in style with a 5-0 win over newly-promoted Marown at Springfield Road.

Mark Wolfenden and Mikey Callister both helped themselves to braces and Martin Cowan completed the scoring.

Douglas Royal remain rooted to the foot of the table after losing at home to Laxey who claimed their first points of the season.

Michael Fernandes netted a brace for the Miners while Nathakan Phumsai also grabbed a goal for the visitors. Terry Rigaux had earlier equalised for Royal.

Pulrose United returned to the top of JCK Division Two after thrashing Douglas and District 9-1 at Springfield Road.

Marc Priestnal was the star of the show with a hat-trick and was joined on the scoresheet by a Joe Canipa brace, Jacob Thomas, Owen Quayle, Owen Canipa and David Skillen. Daniel Kinley netted for D&D

RYCOB and Malew remain the only undefeated teams in the second division and, while Malew’s game at home to Union Mills was postponed, Youthie triumphed away at Onchan.

In a topsy-turvy game, the northerners raced into a three-goal lead only for a Dale Walker hat-trick to drag the Os level.

However, Youthie retook control and eventually won 5-3 thanks to goals from Jason Craine, Evan Johnstone, Daniel Sherry, Jed Fisher and Dylan Parish.

Ramsey were in ruthless form as they thrashed Governor’s Athletic 7-0 at Ballacloan Stadium, while Foxdale clocked up their third win of the season with a hard-fought 2-0 success away at Michael United.

Gymns made it back-to-back wins as they got the better of Colby 6-3 at the Station Fields. Mark Conor, Cal Peat and Ray Lovell all scored twice for the Tromode outfit, while Hadyn McLarney, Marty Moore and Chris McKenna netted for Colby.

Football results from Saturday, September 22

Canada Life Premier League

Douglas Athletic 5-0 Marown

DHSOB 3-1 Rushen United

St George’s 3-3 Corinthians

Douglas Royal 1-3 Laxey

Peel 4-2 St John’s

St Mary’s 7-0 Castletown

JCK Division Two

Pulrose 9-1 Douglas and District

Onchan 3-5 RYCOB

Michael United 0-2 Foxdale

Colby 3-6 Gymns

Ramsey 7-0 Governor’s Athletic

Malew P-P Union Mills

Canada Life Combination One

Marown 4-5 Douglas Athletic

Rushen United 2-3 DHSOB

Corinthians 2-4 St George’s

Laxey 6-5 Douglas Royal

St John’s 4-6 Peel

Castletown 0-15 St Mary’s

JCK Combination Two

Douglas and District 2-2 Pulrose Utd

RYCOB A-W Onchan

Foxdale 4-0 Michael

Gymns 3-1 Colby

Governor’s Athletic L-L Ramsey

Union Mills 1-2 Malew